HeadlinesBriefing favicon HeadlinesBriefing.com

Phillies Blow Rally on Realmuto Baserunning Error

ESPN MLB •
×

The Phillies ran themselves out of a potential winning rally against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday after a "lapse in judgment" on the bases by J.T. Realmuto ended the game on a double play. With Philadelphia down 2-1, Alec Bohm started the inning with a single before being replaced by pinch runner Justin Crawford. After Edmundo Sosa struck out, Realmuto doubled to left, moving Crawford to third.

But after Brandon Marsh hit a squibber to third base, Crawford broke for home and was tagged in a rundown while Realmuto, who had reached third base, tried to retreat to second and was thrown out. The Dodgers executed the 5-2-6-4 double play to perfection to end the game. Realmuto took the blame for the gaffe, telling reporters there was "no reason for me to go back [to] second." "Just a bad baserunning play," Realmuto said.

The play spoiled a strong outing for Phillies ace Zack Wheeler in his first start since opting not to accept an All-Star invitation. He gave up two runs, struck out nine and walked none in seven innings. The start of the game was delayed 1 hour, 20 minutes by rain, and the contest was played in a persistent drizzle that began in the third inning.